Pressure-chamber and plunger construction



2 Shams-Sheet l INVENTOR ATToRNEYf Ngv, 25, 1924.

W. J. HAWKINS PRESSURE CHAMBER AND. PLUNGER CONSTRUCTION Filedl Aug. 21 1923 W. J. HAWKINS PRESSURE CHAMBER AND PLUNGER coNsTRUcTIoN Filed Aug. 21 1923 2 Shoots-Sheet 2 /NvE/v TOR JWM A @Nag-s Patented Nov. 25, i924.

TATES WILFORD JUDSON HAWKINS, OF MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY, MACHINE & FOUNDRY COMPANY, A CORPORATION ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN OF N EW JERSEY.

PRESSURE-CHAMBER AND P'LUNGEB, CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed August 21, 1923.

To ctZZ whom t may conce/mr Be it known that I, WiLioRn JUDsoN Hawkins, a citizen of the United States, residing at 89 Underclit Road, Montclair, in the county of' Essex and State oit New Jersey, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Pressure-Chamber and Plunger Constructions, ot' which the following is a. specification, reference had therein to the accompanying drawing.

rlhis invention relates to a pressure chainber and plunger construction, wherein the plunger is adapted to act on a pressure fluidwitliin the chamber, and the invention is designed with specialreierence to the einployment oi such unit in a suspension device for connecting an elevator car or the like to itshousing cables, in order to equalize the loads and stresses on the cables; and the invention consists of an improved forni of pressure chamber and plunger construction, in which the plunger slides duid-tight within the pressure chamber and around a sleeve extending into the chamber and sealing the same against the escape of the pressurefluid, a rod being extended within the sleeve and engaged with the plunger; whereby the provision ot a stuffing-box at the end of the chamber where the rod passes therethrough is avoided.

The invention is shown as embodied in a plurality of such units for the attachment of an elevator car or the like to its housingV cables, wherein a casing adapted for attachment to the car is provided with a plurality of pressure chambers communicating with each other, and sleeves are extended into the respective chambers and seal the sanie at one end against the escape of pressure-Huid, a series ot plungers being provided which'iit slidingly within the respective chambers and around the respective sleeves, and rods being extended within the sleeves and engaged with the plungers and adapted to be connected with the housing cables; whereby the pressure-fluid in the chambers will be caused bv the pressure of the plungers to How from one chamber to another, and will thereby distribute the weight of the car among the several plungers, with the result that the loads and stresses on the cables will lbe equalized.

The invention consists also, in employing as a pressure-fluidl medium, in pressure serial No. 658,517.

chamber and plunger constructions, armaterial which does not become tluidand run at temperatures below say 95 F. or thereabout. Paraiiin is one example oic such material, and under the influence of the pressure exerted by the plunger thereon, will be caused to'flow.

The invention consists also in the details oi: construction and combination of parts hereinafter described in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a view in vertical section on the line l-l of Fig. 2 of a plurality of pressure chamber and-plunger units adapted to serve as a suspension device for connecting an elevator car or the like toits suspension cables to equalize the load.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is an elevation showing an elevator connected with the suspension cables by the device shown in the preceding figures.l

Referring to the drawings:

My improved pressure chamber and plunger construction oi which a number are shown in cooperative relation to each other to constitute an equalizing suspension device for elevators consists of a casing l, enclosing a pressure-Huid chamber 2, adapted to contain a suitable pressure-fluid 3. Extending downward into the chamber through the top of the casing is a sleeve 4 which is fitted at its upper end in a hole in the casing top and is fastened therein in such manner as to seal the same against the escape of the pressure-fluid around the exterior of the sleeve. The sleeve is open at both ends, and surrounding its low-er end is a hollow annular plunger 5, which fits in the chamber and surrounds the sleeve so as to slide thereon. The lower end of the plunger projects through the 4lower open end of the chamber and is formed with a head 5". At its opposite end, the plunger has applied to it an annular gasket or packing 6, which fits fluid-tight' within the chamber and around the sleeve, so that the escape of the pressure- Huid from the chamber between the sleeve and plunger and between the plunger and wall of the chamber is prevented. A rod 7 extends downwardly within the sleeve and out through the lower end of the same and is engaged with the head 5X of the plunger, which latter is formed with a threaded opening in which the lower end of the rod is screwed and conined by holding nuts 9.

As a result ot the construction described, the plunger acts with pressure on the pressure fluid when the former is moved into the chamber by the rod 7 extending through the upper end ot' the casing, and is cushioned by the body of confined fluid. Due to the sealing of the chamber by the sleeve, and due to the fluid-tight fit of the plunger within the chamber and around the sleeve, the employment of a stuffing-box in the end ot the chamber, usually employed to prevent the escape of fluid around the plunger rod, is avoided. ln other words, the iuid is prevented from escape from the upper end of the chamber by the sleeve, and from its opposite end by the plunger, at the same time affording the plunger rod a free passage through the end of the casing.

Where the plunger surrounds the lower end of the sleeve and rod, an annular space 10 is tormed between the exterior oi the rod and interior of the plunger, in which a suitable lubricant may be placed to ensure the proper lubrication of the rod where it slides through the sleeve and ot the plunger` where it surrounds the sleeve.

ln the disposition ot these units in cooperative relation to each other to connect an elevator car or the like to its hoisting cables, so as to equalize the stresses and loads on `the cables, the units are arranged in two rows,l in staggered relation and the chambers are covered at their upper ends by the to p ot the casing and are open at their lower' ends. A t their upper ends these chambers have liree communication with each other through lateral openings l2 formed in the walls ot' the chambers, through which the Huid may tiow trom'one chamber' to another, and each chamber has extending into it a sleeve l sealing the upper end of the chainber, on which sleeve slides a plunger 5 having connected with it a rod 7 extending through the sleeve, t-he whole constituting a device which is shown as connecting' an elevator car A to its suspension cables B. The casing` is mounted between and fastened to the cross-head channels C on the top of the car, with the cables B passing over the sheave .E and connected at their lower ends, respectively, with the upper ends ot the rods 7, whereby the weight oi the ar is supported byy the pressure Huid in the chambers confined between the top ot the casing and the plungers. Under these conditions, any stretching or contraction oi the cables, resulting in the change of length ot' the individual cables, which would otherwise place unequal stresses on the same, and which might be so pronounced as to cause the cables toi part or be seriously injured, will be compensated for by the action ot the plungers on the common body of pressure- Huid. which in flowing from one chamber to another will cause the weight ot the car to be equally distributed among the several. plunger-s, without regard to t-he position et the plungers in their respective chambers. ln other words, the plungers being movable independently ot each other in their chambers, and the connected cables being independently adjustable by such movements relative to the supporting sheave and car, the effect will be to bring about an equalization of the stresses on the cables and any variation in the loads imposed thereon. Nhile different kinds ot pressure-fluids may be employed to till the pressure chambers, l prefer to use a material, such as paraliin, which does not become Huid and run at ternperatures, say below 95o F. or thereabout. Such a pressure-Huid will, under the degree ot pressure to which it is subjected by the action ot the plungers in sustaining ltheweight o't the car, become fluid and tlow from one chamber to another in distributing the load imposed uniformly among the several plungers and cables.

l/Vhile in the accompanying drawings l have shown my invention employed in the particular detailed form which I prefer to adopt, it will be understood that these details may be variously changed and modified without departing from the limits ot the invention. And while I have shown the device employed in connection with an elevator, it will be understood that it maybe employed in other connections; and the single unit oit construction oit Fig. l is capable o't' various uses, especially as a cushioning means tor relatively movable parts, as a dash-pot, or the like.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim is:

1. In a mechanism of the type described, the combination with a casing having a pressure-fluid chamber therein, ot a sleeve extending` into the casing and sealing they saine at one end against the escape oi the pressure-duid, a plunger surrounding the sleeve and sliding in the chamber, and a' rod extending within the sleeve and engaged with the plunger.

2'. In a mechanism ot the type described, the combination with a casing having a pressure-fluid chamber therein, oli a sleeve extending into said chamber and sealing one end ot the same against the escape oi the pressure-Huid, a plungeu fitting fluid-tight within the chamber and around the sleeve, and a rod extending within the sleeve and engaged with t-he plunger.

3. In combina-tion with a. casing having a pressure-fluid chamber therein, a sleeve lixed to the casing at one end ot the chamber and extending into the chamber and sealing the saine against the escape ot the pressure-fluid at one end, a plunger fitting llt) Miara? fluid-tight Within the chamber and around the sleeve, and a rod extending Within the sleeve and engaged `with the plunger.

el. ln combination with a casing having a pressure-fluid chamber therein, a sleeve extending Within said chamber and sealing one end of the same against the escape ot the i'iressure-fiuid, a plunger fitting fluid-tight within the chamber and around the sleeve, and a rod extending Within the sleeve and engaged With the plunger and adjustable longitudinally relatively thereto.

5. lin combination with a casing having a pressure-Huid chamber therein, a sleeve extending within the chamber and sealing one end of the same against escape of the pressure-fluid, an annular plunger Within the chamber and surrounding the sleeve, a packing applied to o-ne end oi the plunger and engaging the sleeve and wall of the chamber to seal the same against the escape oi the pressure-fluid, and a rod extending within the sleeve and engaged with the opposite end of the plunger.

6. In combination with a casing having a pressure-fiuid chamber therein, a sleeve eX- tcnding into the chamber and sealing one end of the same against the escape of the iiressure-fluid, a hollow fannular plunger within the chamber and surrounding the sleeve, a packing at one end of the plunger fitting said parts fluid-tight, said plunger being provided at its opposite end with a head, and a rod extending within the sleeve and engaged with said head.

7. ln a mechanism of the type described, the combination with a casing having a pressure-fluid chamber therein, of a sleeve extending into the chamber and sealing the same at one end against the escape of the inessure-fiuid, a hollow plunger surrounding the `'tree end of the sleeve Within the chamber and slidable on the sleeve and extending beyond the end of the same, said plunger being closed at its end to form a lubricant-holding chamber between the interior of the plunger and the exterior of the sleeve, and a rod extending within the sleeve and engaged with the end of the plunger.

8. In a mechanism of the type described., the combination of a casing having a liilnrality of pressure-fluid chambers therein communicating with each other, sleeves ex tending into said chambers respectively and Isealing one end of the same against the escape of the pressure-fluid, plungers fitting fluid-tight Within the respective chambers and around the respective sleeves, and rods extending within the sleeves and engaged With the respective plungers.

9. In a mechanism of the type described, the combination With a casing having a plurality of pressure-fluid chambers communicating with each other at one end,

sleeves extending into said chambers respectively and sealing the ends ot' the same, Where they communicate with each other, against thc escape of the pressure-Huid, plungers fitting fluid-tight within the respective chambers and around the respective sleeves, and rods extending Within the sleeves and engaged with the respective plungers.

l0. In a mechanism of the type described, the combination with a casing adapted for attachment to an elevator and having a plurality of pressure-duid chambers therein communicating with each other, sleeves extending downwardly into said chambers re spectively and sealing the upper ends ot the same against the escape of the pressure fluid, plungers fitting iluidtight Within the respective chambers and around the respective sleeves, and rods extending Within the sleeves and engaged at their lower ends With the respective plungers, said rods adapted at their upper end for connection with suspension cables.

ll. A suspension device for connecting an elevator car to hoisting cables, said device comprising a casing attached to the car and having a plurality ot pressure-fluid chambers therein communicating with each other, sleeves extending ivithin the said chambers respectively and sealing the saine against the escape ot pressure-fluid at one ond, plungers fitting fiuidtight within the cl1a1n-A bers and around the sleeves, and rods tending Within the sleeves and engaged with the. plungers, respectively, and connected to the suspension cables.

l2. In a mechanism of the typo described, the combination with a casing provided with a plurality of pressure chambers conimunicating with each other, pressure plungers sliding in the respective chambers and adapted for independent movement therein; and a pressure-Huid medium confined in the pressure chambers and acted on by the plungers, said medium consist-ing of a substance Which does not become fluid and run at temperatures below 95o F. or thereabout, but is loivable from one chamber to another bv the pressure of the plungers.

18. 'A suspension device for connecting an elevator car to hoisting cables, said device comprising a casing attached to the car and. having a plurality of pressure-fluid chambers therein communicating with each other, plungers sliding in the respective chambers and connected with the suspension cables, and paraffin confined in the respective chambers and acted on by the plungers and acting to distribute the Weight of the car equally on the plungers.

In testimony whereof, I have affixed my signature hereto.

VVILFQRD .TUDSON HAVVKINS. 

